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As evidence-based research continues to show that spiritual care is important in overall well-being, chaplains at Christus Hospital–St. Catherine have developed a Living Life with Loss bereavement program to help those dealing with pain, isolation and hopelessness when dealing with the death of a loved one.

“The pain caused from the death of a loved one is hard, sometimes unbearable. The grief continues to impact us in ways we are not conscious of and surfaces in the most unexpected moments,” said Daniel Guerra, chaplain at Christus St. Catherine Hospital. “As a society we are not trained nor prepared to deal with the loss of a loved one. That’s why we are hosting the seminars—to be there in a time of need,” said Cook.

Beginning in January, Guerra and chaplains at other Christus hospitals throughout the region are offering their first bereavement program. Living Life with Loss is a seven-week course for those who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. Participants meet weekly for 2-hour sessions. Sessions are designed for 8-12 people, providing a small, intimate environment that allows open discussion.

“Our goal is to create a safe, healing, confidential environment for grieving people to gather and acknowledge and express emotions surrounding the death of their loved one,” said Guerra. “Many times grieving persons feel frightened by their thoughts, only to learn that they are not alone and that many feared thoughts, such as confusion and dread, are a normal part of the grieving process.”

Participants learn the key components of grief, coping mechanisms and how to establish a sense of hope. “Each group I lead is a gift because a collective wisdom surfaces from within the group. We all learn from each other,” said Guerra.

Authors of a white paper developed in 2000 through the Association of Professional Chaplains note that persons find that their spirituality helps them maintain health and cope with illnesses, traumas, losses, and life transitions by integrating body, mind and spirit. When facing a crisis, persons often turn to their spirituality as a means of coping (Pargament, 1997).

According to a recent study published by the American Psychological Association, an increasingly popular approach is prayer, My Health News Daily reported:

*“Between 2002 and 2007, the percentage of adults who prayed for their health increased from 43 percent to 49 percent. An earlier study found the percentage of people who prayed for their health in 1999 was 13.7 percent, indicating a dramatic boost in this practice over those 10 years.”

“We want to give everyone the chance to learn, to express, to understand—and if that starts with the chaplains, we stand ready to serve,” said Guerra.

“Living Life with Loss” is for adults and is free and open to the community and starts in January.
For dates and registration, visit www.christusstcatherine.com.